From The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume XXIII in two parts; Part 1 - Reports; Washington: Government Printing Office, 1889, page 654.
No. 6.
Report of Maj. Israel N. Stiles, Sixty-third Indiana Infantry,
of skirmish at Shepherdsville, Ky.
Stockade At Salt River Bridge,
Shepherdsville, Ky., July 20, 1863.
Sir: I deem it proper to submit the following report:
On the 6th instant the enemy in force, under John [H.] Morgan, appeared at Bardstown, moving in the direction of this place. Having no doubt of his intention to attempt the destruction of the bridge over Salt River at this place, and desiring to make every arrangement possible for a successful defense of the same, and having no means of communicating within the necessary time with the lieutenant-colonel commanding the regiment, who was at New Haven, I applied by telegraph directly to General Boyle for artillerists enough to work the 12 pounder gun here, and also for leave to order Captain [D.] Morris, with his company, which was at the stockade above, to join me at once. General Boyle responded to my request by sending Lieutenant [W. H.] Brown, Sixth Michigan Battery, with 10 men, to work the artillery, and by ordering Captain Morris by telegraph to join me immediately, which he did with one half his company, the other half, under command of Lieutenant [W. F.] Henderson, being at another stockade, some 3 miles above. Captain Morris was closely followed by the enemy, and kept up a running fight with him for nearly 1 1/2 miles, with what results to the enemy is not known. He reached me about dark, with a loss of 2 men taken prisoners. This force, added to that already with me, gave me about 115 men and 4 commissioned officers. With this force, and the advantage of my position, I felt confident of my ability to at least occupy the attention of the enemy sufficiently long for our forces, which I felt sure must be close upon his rear, to engage him. During the night he was near enought for us to hear the shouts of his men. Morning found General Hobson's force so close upon his rear that he left precipitately in the direction of Brandenburg without making an attack upon us.
In the mean time Lieutenant Henderson placed his men on the train on his way to join me near Bardstown Junction. The train was surrounded and stopped by the enemy, and a general system of plundering and pillage commenced. Lieutenant Henderson formed his little band (about 30 men) in line of battle, and boldly charged through the enemy's ranks, killing 2 (whose bodies have since been found), wounding several, and reached me the next morning, with a loss of only 3 men prisoners Several officers, passengers on the train, failed to make their escape, and were taken prisoners.
I deem the conduct of Lieutenant Henderson and his men on this occasion as very praiseworthy, and that of the lieutenant especially as worthy of special mention, as a brave boy and good officer.
The conduct of Lieutenant Brown, and the other officers and men under my command, was such as gave me confidence in my ability to do what you expected me to do, to defend the bridge "though attacked by Morgan's whole force."
Very respectfully,
I. X. STILES,
Major Sixty-third Indiana, Commanding Salt River Bridge.
Capt. A. C. Semple,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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